Holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for supporting a container, as a trash can, above the surface of the ground. The holder has an elongated, channelshaped member mounted on an upright support, as a post or pipe. The upright member has a plurality of vertically spaced bands along the lower portion thereof separated from the front of the upright member with generally transverse slots. A bracket having a downwardly turned flange extended through a slot is mounted on the band to provide a support for the bottom of a container. The bracket is selectively mounted on one of the bands to accommodate different size containers. The upper portion of the elongated member has an upwardly and outwardly directed lip forming a hook for receiving the grip or handle of the container. A reverse curved member is attached to the upper end of the elongated member opposite the lip for receiving the upper end of a pipe.

United States Patent [191 Johnson HOLDER [76] lnventor: Anton E. Johnson, 1061 Rice Creek [52] [1.8. CI. 211/71; 248/125; 248/D1G. 7 [51] Int. Cl. A47G 29/00 [58] Field of Search 248/D1G. 7, 244, 121, 243,

1 July 1,1975

Australia 248/243 ltaly 248/243 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas .1. Holko [57] ABSTRACT A holder for supporting a container, as a trash can, above the surface of the ground. The holder has an elongated, channel-shaped member mounted on an upright support, as a post or pipe. The upright member has a plurality of vertically spaced bands along the lower portion thereof separated from the front of the upright member with generally transverse slots. A bracket having a downwardly turned flange extended through a slot is mounted on the band to provide a support for the bottom of a container. The bracket is selectively mounted on one of the bands to accommodate different size containers. The upper portion of the elongated member has an upwardly and outwardly directed lip forming a hook for receiving the grip or handle of the container. A reverse curved member is attached to the upper end of the elongated member opposite the lip for receiving the upper end of a pipe,

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HOLDER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention relates to a holder for supporting objects, as containers, trash cans and the like, in an upright position above the ground or supporting surface. Heretofore, supporting stands for trash cans have been constructed with upright posts having a hook at the upper end of the post and a support or spacer member engageable with the lower side of the can. Spacer members have been telescopically mounted on the support post and held in position with a set screw. An example of this structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,817. Nut and bolt assemblies have been used with posts to adjust the lower supporting feet of a holder. An example of this structure is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,515,285. These supports require special posts for accommodating the structures that engage the can. They are not adapted to be mounted on conventional pipe or upright members, as a 2X4 in a garage, or on the side of a building.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is directed to a holder for supporting a container. as a trash can, having a bottom portion and grip means, as a handle, adjacent the top portion. The holder has an elongated, generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, as an upright 2X4, pipe secured to the ground, or the side of a building. The upright member has a plurality of generally transverse bands. A plurality of vertically spaced transverse slots extend adjacent the bands. Means on the upper portion of the upright member cooperate with the grip means of the container for holding the container in a generally upright position. Bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container supports the container above the ground. The bracket means has a portion extended in one of said slots to mount the bracket means on a band. The portion is adapted to be selectively positioned in a selective slot to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different size containers can be supported on the holder The holder also has a clip attachable to the upper end thereof. The clip has a downwardly directed portion adapted to fit into an open top end ofa pipe, thereby mounting the elongated member on an upright pipe.

An object of the invention is to provide a holder for supporting a container which does not require any modification of the container and can be used with containers of different diameters and heights. A further object of the invention is to provide a holder with an elongated member which can be attached to an upright pipe, post, 2X4 or the side of a structure without modifying the holder. A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for a container which does not utilize nuts and bolts and can be inexpensively manufactured from stamped metal and is readily assembled and installed without special tools. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a holder for a trash can that is sturdy, lightweight, durable, sanitary, safe, and easily packaged for shipment. Other objects and advantages of the invention will clearly appear from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view of a container mounted on a holder attached to an upright support;

FIG. 2 is a front foreshortened elevational view of the holder of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a container 10, as a metal or plastic refuse can, supported on holder 11. The holder 11 is attached to a fixed upright support 12, as a post, 2X4, 2X6 or the like. The support 12 can be an upright pipe or the side of a building. The holder 11 supports the container 10 above the surface of the ground 13.

The container 10 has a cylindrical side wall 14 closed at the bottom with wall 16. The top of container 10 carries a lid 17. Secured to upper portions of the side wall 14 are the conventional hand grips or U-shaped handles 18 and 19. Some plastic cans have hand grips molded into the top rim of the can.

Referring to FIG. 2, holder 11 has an upright channel member indicated generally at 21. Channel member 21 preferably has a length of 24 to 30 inches, so as to be usable with different size containers and made from stamped metal. The channel member 21 has an elongated linear front wall 22 and side flanges 23 and 24 secured to opposite sides of the front wall 22 with linear rounded corner sections 26 and 27. The side flanges 23 and 24 are preferably inch wide and are laterally separated by a distance of 1% inches to accommodate an edge of a conventional 2X4 stud or post. The linear rounded corner sections 26 and 27 extend the full length of the channel member 21 and project forwardly from the front wall 22 whereby the front wall 22 is recessed. The front wall 22 has a plurality of vertically spaced holes 28 for accommodating fasteners 29, as screws, nails, bolts or the like, to attach the channel member to the support 12. Screws 29, shown in FIG. 2, attach channel member 21 to the support 12. The side flanges 23 and 24 extend linearly along the sides of the front wall 22 and are spaced from each other, preferably about 1% inch, so as to accommodate a 2X4, such as an upright stud in a garage.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an outwardly and forwardly directed upright lip 31 is integral with the upper end of front wall 22. Lip 31 has forwardly curved side portions 32 providing a generally arcuate shaped top surface for accommodating the handle 18 of the container 16. The lip 31 has a lower portion 31A integral with the front wall 22. The lower portion 31A extends at a relatively steep angle away from the front wall 22. A second upright portion 318 extends upwardly from the lower portion 31A to form the lip 31 into a generally hookshaped member having an upwardly open mouth 33 for accommodating the handle of the container. The lip is formed by separating it from the front wall 22 and thereby forming hole 34. The upper portion of hole 34 is bounded by a transverse top portion 36.

A removable clip 37 is attached to transverse top portion 36. Clip 37 has a generally inverted U-shaped portion 38 located inwardly of the front wall 22 and a generally upright front flange 39. The flange 39 is spaced from the adjacent wall of the U-shaped section 38 to accommodate the transverse portion 36 and thereby attach the clip to the channel member 2]. The clip can be removed from channel member 21 by forcing the clip in a downward direction. The clip 37 has a transverse pocket or groove 41 to accommodate the upper portion of a pipe and thereby mount the channel member on a pipe. The clip 37 also functions as a stop to vertically position the channel member 21 on top of a post, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the lower portion of the channel member 21 has a plurality of vertically separated bands or transverse members 42. The bands 42 are equally spaced from each other and extend in an upward direction across front wall 22. Preferably, there are nine bands, each having a width of h inch and spaced 3% inch apart. The bands 42 can extend all the way up to the lip 31. As shown in FIG. 4, a band 42 is spaced outwardly from the front wall 22 separating the opposite top and bottom edges of the band 42 from the wall 22 with an upper transverse slot 43 and transverse lower slot 44. The band 42 is pressed out of the front wall 22, leaving a generally rectangular opening 46. Each band 42 is formed in the same fashion and has an upper transverse slot and a lower transverse slot.

Mounted on the lower portion of channel member 21 is a bracket or shoe indicated generally at 47 engageable with the bottom portion of the container to support the container in a generally upright position above the ground 13, as shown in FIG. 1. The shoe 47 has a generally arcuate shaped base 48 located in a generally horizontal plane. The mid-portion of the base has a hole 49 for accommodating a projection, as a nut and bolt assembly or pin, to engage the lower rim of the container and thereby hold the container on the shoe. Extended outwardly along the midsection of the base 48 is a downwardly directed rib 51. Integral with the back of the base 48 is an upright back wall 52. The midsection of the back wall is generally flat and has a downwardly directed finger 53. As shown in FIG. 2, finger 53 has a length longer than the width of the band 42 whereby the finger extends through the top slot 43 and bottom slot 44. Upper portion 53A and lower portion 53B of finger 53 rest against the back wall 22. The finger 53 is spaced from the back wall 52 so as to fit over the band 42 and engage the band with a friction fit. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, finger 53 has a width substantially equal to the length of the slot 43 whereby the finger 53 firmly mounts the shoe 47 on the channel member 21. The finger 53 provides a generally inverted shaped hook which is releasably engageable with band 42. The finger 53 can be removed from the band 42 by applying an upward force to the shoe. The finger can be placed around any of the bands 42 whereby the elevation of the shoe 47 can be changed to accommodate different height containers.

In use, the upright channel member 21 is attached to the support with appropriate fastening means, as screws, nails, toggle bolts, pipe clamps, and the like. Clip 37 is removed from the transverse portion 36 when the channel member 21 is mounted on an upright 2X4 or 2X6, such as an upright stud in a garage. The elevation of shoe 47 is adjusted in accordance with the height of the container 10. This is accomplished by inserting the finger S3 behind the selected band 42. The finger 53 is then forced through both the upper and lower slots 43 and 44, respectively, so that the upper and lower portions of the finger are engaged by the front wall 22. This provides the shoe 47 with a firm connection to the channel member 21 and eliminates the vertical and transverse movements between the shoe 47 and the channel member 21.

The container 10 is supported on the holder 11 by placing the bottom of the container on the shoe 47. The handle 18 of the container is then placed over the lip 31. The container 10 is thus supported above the surface 13 of the ground and can be readily removed. The container structure is not modified to accommodate the structure of the holder.

The above description is directed to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Changes in material, i.e., metal, plastic and other structural materials, and size and configuration of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Also, a number of holders can be mounted on a single support.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A holder for supporting a container having a bottom portion and a grip means adjacent the top portion of the container comprising: an elongated generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, said upright member comprising a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, corner sections securing the side flanges to opposite sides of the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said corner sections a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bands extended across said front wall, each of said bands having a first end secured to one comer section and a second end secured to the other corner section, and vertically spaced transverse slots including an upper slot and lower slot for each band located between said bands and wall, means on the upper portion of said member engageable with the grip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the container, said bracket means having an inverted U- shaped hook positioned about a band with parts of the hook extended through said upper and lower slots and engageable with said front wall to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook having a width substantially the length of the slot, and said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.

3. The holder of claim 1 wherein: the means on the upper portion of said member is an upwardly and outwardly directed lip forming a hook structure for accommodating the grip means of the container.

4. A holder for supporting a container having a bottom portion and a grip means adjacent the top portion of the container comprising: an elongated generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, said upright member comprising a channel shaped member having a front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to opposite sides of the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded comer sections, a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bands extended across said front wall, said bands being secured to said corner sections, and vertically spaced transverse slots including an upper slot and a lower slot for each band located between said bands and wall, means on the upper portion of said member engageable with the grip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the container, said bracket means having an inverted U- shaped hook positioned about a band with parts of the hook extended through said upper and lower slots and engageable with said front wall to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder, and a releasable clip mounted on the upper portion of the upright member, said clip having a portion adapted to engage the support to mount the upper portion of the upright member on the support.

5. The holder of claim 4 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.

6. The holder of claim 4 wherein: the means on the upper portion of said member is an upwardly and outgrip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the con tainer, said bracket means having an inverted U-shaped hook positioned about a band with a part of the hook extended in one of said slots to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder, and a releasable clip mounted on the upper portion of the upright member, said clip having a down wardly directed portion adapted to fit into a pipe and thereby mount the upper portion of the upright member on a pipe.

8. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.

9. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said elongated generally upright member is a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded corner sections.

10. The holder of claim 9 wherein: said bands extend across said front wall and are secured to said corner sections.

11. The holder of claim 10 wherein: said transverse slots include an upper slot and a lower slot for each band, said portion of the bracket means extended through said upper slot and lower slot to mount the bracket means on the band.

12. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said elongated generally upright member is a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded corners, said bands extended HCIOSS said recess. 

1. A holder for supporting a container having a bottom portion and a grip means adjacent the top portion of the container comprising: an elongated generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, said upright member comprising a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, corner sections securing the side flanges to opposite sides of the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said corner sections, a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bands extended across said front wall, each of said bands having a first end secured to one corner section and a second end secured to the other corner section, and vertically spaced transverse slots including an upper slot and lower slot for each band located between said bands and wall, means on the upper portion of said member engageable with the grip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the container, said bracket means having an inverted U-shaped hook positioned about a band with parts of the hook extended through said upper and lower slots and engageable with said front wall to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook having a width substantially the length of the slot, and said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder.
 2. The holder of claim 1 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.
 3. The holder of claim 1 wherein: the means on the upper portion of said member is an upwardly and outwardly directed lip forming a hook structure for accommodating the grip means of the container.
 4. A holder for supporting a container having a bottom portion and a grip means adjacent the top portion of the container comprising: an elongated generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, said upright member comprising a channel shaped member having a front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to opposite sides of the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded corner sections, a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bands extended across said front wall, said bands being secured to said corner sections, and vertically spaced transverse slots including an upper slot and a lower slot for each band located between said bands and wall, means on the upper portion of said member engageable with the grip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the container, said bracket means having an inverted U-shaped hook positioned about a band with parts of the hook extended through said upper and lower slots and engageable with said front wall to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder, and a releasable clip mounted on the upper portion of the upright member, said clip having a portion adapted to engage the support to mount the upper portion of the upright member on the support.
 5. The holder of claim 4 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.
 6. The holder of claim 4 wherein: the means on the upper portion of said member is an upwardly and outwardly directed lip forming a hook structure for accommodating the grip means of the container.
 7. A holder for supporting a container having a bottom portion and a grip means adjacent the top portion of the container comprising: an elongated generally upright member adapted to be secured to a fixed support, said upright member having an upright wall, a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bands extended across said wall, vertically spaced transverse slots, means on the upper portion of said member engageable with the grip means for holding the container in a generally upright position, bracket means engageable with the bottom portion of the container for supporting the container, said bracket means having an inverted U-shaped hook positioned about a band with a part of the hook extended in one of said slots to mount the bracket means on the upright member, said hook adapted to be selectively positioned about a band to change the location of the bracket means on the upright member whereby different sized containers can be supported on the holder, and a releasable clip mounted on the upper portion of the upright member, said clip having a downwardly directed portion adapted to fit into a pipe and thereby mount the upper portion of the upright member on a pipe.
 8. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said bracket means includes a generally horizontal base, said hook being attached to the base.
 9. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said elongated generally upright member is a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded corner sections.
 10. The holder of claim 9 wherein: said bands extend across said front wall and are secured to said corner sections.
 11. The holder of claim 10 wherein: said transverse slots include an upper slot and a lower slot for each band, said portion of the bracket means extended through said upper slot and lower slot to mount the bracket means on the band.
 12. The holder of claim 7 wherein: said elongated generally upright member is a channel shaped member having an upright front wall and rearwardly directed side flanges, rounded corner sections securing the side flanges to the front wall, said front wall being recessed between said rounded corners, said bands extended across said recess. 